Transfer and comminuting device for screens



March 23, 1954 c, H NQRDELL 2,672,985

TRANSFER AND COMMINUTING DEVICE FOR SCREENS Filed Aug. 14, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 A/o ig- INVENTOR.

March 23, 1954 c. H. NORDELL 2,672,985

TRANSFER AND COMMINUTING DEVICE FOR SCREENS Filed Aug. 14. 1950 9 Shets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

mwmr a March 23, 1954 c. H. NORDELL TRANSFER AND COMMINUTING DEVICE FOR SCREENS 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 March 23, 1954 c. H. NORDELL TRANSFER AND COMMINUTING DEVICE FOR SCREENS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 INIfENTOR. 3M

'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII March 23, 1954 c. H. NORDELL 2,672,985

TRANSFER AND COMMINUTING DEVICE FOR SCREENS Filed Aug. 14, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 oww NON

E1 W 9 w. m \0 March 23, 1954 c. H. NORDELL TRANSFER AND COMMINUTING DEVICE FOR SCREENS 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 March 23, 1954 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 C. H. NORDELL 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 170 nun 170 166 1(ob K 165 163 fiwmufm" Patented Mar. 23, 1954 TRANSFER AND COMMINUTING DEVICE FOR SCREENS Carl H. Nordell, Palm Springs, fifteen per cent to Louise N.

Calif., assignor of Millspaugh, Long Beach, and fifteen per cent to Anne N.Kaspar, Stafford Inn, Scotia, Calif.

Application August 14, 1950, Serial No. 179,140

49 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an apparatu for comminuting solids in a liquid stream, particularly in a stream of sewage flowing into a sewage treatment plant.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application filed September 24, 1948, under Serial No. 50,925, now abandoned.

In accordance with the present invention, a transverse screen extending across the infiuent channel intercepts all solids too large to pass therethrough. The heavier solids carried by the stream, such as gravel or rocks, will drop to the bottom of the channel in advance of the screen, but the rest of the solids will normally accumulate against the screen and be held thereagainst by the infiowing sewage.

Further in accordance with the present invention, a combined transfer and comminuting unit mounted adjacent the frame supporting the screen is reciprocated in front of the screen to remove the solids from the face of the screen and transfer them to the comminuting elements to reduce them to such size that they will pass through the screen. The transfer and comminuting unit includes a rotating shaft provided with projecting teeth which are adapted to enagainst the screen to remove them from the face of the screen, and another shaft adapted to alternately position one or the other of a pair of combs in the path of rotation of said teeth, depending upon the direction of travel of the transfer andcomminuting unit, to cooperate with said teeth to comminute the solids removed from the screen to a size small enough so that they can be carried through the screen by the flow of liquid sewage.

The comminuting action referred to above takes place in an area or zone removed from the screen, upstream of the screen, so that the screen is not subjected to the excessive wear incidental to the common practice of comminuting solids directly on the face of the screen. The comminution of solids away from the screen makes possible the use of a screen of relatively light construction. This, in turn, makes it possible for the screen to be fabricated from the more expensive non-ferrous metals or stainless steel, thereby improving its lasting qualities.

The screen may be arranged across the influent channel with its screen bars extending either horizontally or zontal arrangement of screen bars, the combined transfer and comminuting unit is disposed vertically and with the vertical arrangement of screen bars the combined transfer and commivertically. With the horinuting unit is disposed horizontally. The vertical arrangement does not require that the screen be perpendicular to the bottom of the channel. It may be sloped downwardly at any suitable angle. The screen having horizontal screen bars is satisfactory for use in substantially all installations, but the screen having vertical screen bars is preferred for installations having deep sewage channels and channels wherein the liquid sewage level may rise a considerable distance above the normal operating level. In such channels, if a horizontal screen bar and a vertically disposed combined transfer and comminuting unit is used, the motor which drives the rotary shaft of the comminuting unit has to be positioned so high above the unit that an extension shaft would be required. Such shafts are objectionable because of whipping and other problems. When the vertical screen bar arrangement is used the transfer and comminuting unit is disposed horizontally and is made to traverse the face of the screen in a completely submerged state.

The cutting cylinder of the combined transfer and comminuting unit is made of a plurality of separate parts that are easily machined so that the replacement of any part of the cutting cylinder is easy and inexpensive.

A feature of the invention resides in providing the transfer and comminuting unit with pivot means which enable it to be swung from a region adjacent the face of the screen to a region out of the sewage, so that the unit may be inspected and repaired Without emptying the infiuent channel of sewage.

The rotation of the cutting cylinder is at a relatively high speed, and, while each tooth cuts only a small bit out of any solid, the comminution of each solid to the desired size is rapid. Any fibrous material, such as rags, in the sewage is abraded into very short fibers which tend to bulky fioc that apparently assists in the purification of the sewage in the settling tank.

reversed automatically as the unit reaches each end of the screen, and the motor or other means utilized for oscillating the pair of combs is synchronized to oscillate the combs each time the direction of travel of the unit is reversed. The motor rotating the shaft of the cutting cylinder is also synchronized to reverse automatically at the same time. In the vertical screen bar arrangement, the motor reciprocating the unit across the screen is replaced by a motor operating a winch or other means which lifts the unit along the face of the screen the required distance, and then reverses to permit the unit to move downwardly along the face of the screen by gra q ity untilit reaches the bottomjlimit of its travel, when it is again reversed. The motor for rotating the cutting cylinder and the means for oscillating the combs are synchronized with the motor operating the winch to reverse at the same time. c,

The structure by which the above mentioned and other advantages of thelinventioii alreattained will be described in thefdlldWingsrlssification, taken in conjunction with the ascorbpanying drawings showing two preferred mustrative embodiments, in whichz A Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective viewof a channel through which sewage flows, a'sta tionary transverse screen having screen bars extending horizontally across the channel, and a combined transfer. and comminuting unit are-- ciprocally'mount'ed in frontof the screen, all in accordance with the'present invention;

, Fig. .2jis an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of "the screen and combined transfer and 'c'ommin'utirig unit;

Fig... 3Vis a. vertical cross'sectional view through the screen, showing in elevation the transfer and ,c'omminuting unit pivoted out of cooperative relationship with the screen;

Eig.,.,4 is. ,a vertical cross sectional view, with partsin elevation, of, the screen and combined transfer and comminuting unit in operative p sition; Eig.,5 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken along theline 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing, in solid and lQttedlines, the position of the parts as theNtransfenand comminuting unit travels in po i di ct Fig G is a fragmentary;detail perspective view showing one endof Qneofthe screen bars;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along mammal of .Fi 4; h s, is a fr n skewing t e b se o th sc e es pportin struchi and t lowe p rt on. o the. u n m and related structure in disassembledposition; B s,- i an e r ed ra m ta pe spe ti e ,view,.o, .-,p tiqns.q h c n. cu ti y n er. and conibs showing their operative; relationship; h Fig i0, is a fragmentary perspective. view showinga portion of the faceofthe comb; H

detail perspective view U ig. 1l is'a detail perspective v ew of oneof the spacers and'cutting disks forming part of the cutting cylinder; I f V .i.. .-...l S. a ar n, v ew. if on o he abradi-ng strips which are secured to theperiphery of each spacer between the cutting dis-ks; 'Fig 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the influent channel, a stationary transverse screen extending across the channel with its screen bars arranged vertically, and a combined transfer and coinminuting unit reciprocally mounted in front of the screen;

, Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the screen and combined transfer and comminuting unit, taken along the line 14-44 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary plan sectional view, looking downwardly from above the, top of the screen and taken generally along the line l5--.'-! 5 of Fig. 13, showing the screen, combined transfer andcomminuting unit, and the cylinder and piston for oscillating the combs;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional along the lin Ifi-lfi of Fig. 15;

Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged sectional view, along the line I'l-l'l of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged cross sectional view, taken along the line m -i8 of Fig. 1-6' and "Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system for operating the fluid motor which rot'ates the shaft of the cutting cylinder and the cylinder and piston which oscillate the combs.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention having horizontal screen bars, and to Figs. 1 to i the drawings, reference numeral 2 indiinfiiie'nt channel through which flows unscieeriedsewage carrying solids, and 3 indieat'e's the efiiwnt channel through which the screened sewage fiOWS. Channels 2 and 3 are parts of a singl structure, preferably made of concrete, comprising a bottom wall l and side walls 5 and 5. Recesses l and 8 in side walls 5 and teach have a pair or upstanding channel irons d'and It arrangedtherein with their web portions H and i2 spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the screen, hereinafter described.

The bottoms of channel irons'il and ID are riveted or otherwise secured to'ch'ann'el irons l3 and 14 which are laidon theirsids'in the bottom wall t. 'Channel irons l3 and Hi have their webs lfi'and iiispacedapart'a'distance approxiih'atel equal to the thickness of the screen and their side walls (I and is are somewhat higher than thelevel of bottom 'wall 4. Preferably the space between sidewalls H and it of channel ironsl3 and Mfand'bottom wall l of channels 2 and 3 is filled with concrete to provide abutments l9 and .28. Abutment :20 'is sharp enough to cause rocks and'other solids that cannot be comminuted'to-pile up against but not on it.

A flat plate 2| is positioned between channel irons l3an'dl4 andprojects a slight "distance above their side walls I! and 18. Individual screen 'bars '22 "are positioned above platell in spaced relation/one above the'other, with their opposite ends projecting'into the spaces between channel irons 9 and'lfl, thus forming-a screen across the channel.through-which-the liquid sewage, small solids and'comminuted solids-pass from the influent-channell to the effluent channel.

.As'sh'own. in Fig. 6, e'ach. screen bar 22 comprises-a U-sh'aped'mernber 23 having a plug 24 securedinxea'ch end between side walls 25 and 26. Plugs 24 are each provided with a threaded aperture 21- adapted' to receiveth'e threaded end of a rod 28, asshown inFig. 5. The headed end of rods 28 are positioned by-means of a series of aperturesZS (Fig. 2) in plate'sBli secured to side walls of channel ir0ns9 and I0. Screen bars 22 are arranged in thedesired spaced relationship one'aibove the other, with-the'U-sha'ped portions extending towards the inflowing sewage. Deflector plates 3| (Fig; 2) are provided along the outer edges'of' the screen.

The .topends'of channel'irons 9 are tied together by ,reinforcing members 32 and 32'. A fiat p1ate 32- extending from the'top of the uppermost screen bar 22 to theunderside or reinforcing member '32 prevents the sewage from flowing over the top of the screen if the level of thegsewage should rise above the screen. A bracket 33 secured to'the side walls of channel iroins;9' and l0'is"b01ted t0' the top-of the side walls-5 and Gal-{opposite ends of the screen-supvporting structure. Theupper end'of each bracket 33 is provided with'a bearing-'34 (Fig.3) in which view, taken taken 'inafter described, associated 'minuting unit so that positioned under bearing 56, is

' a bearing 15' of shaft 52 1 other end of arm 14 has an aperture 162, A-

opposite ends of the structure supporting the combined transfer and comminuting unit are trunnioned.

A cross bar 35, positioned above the screensupporting structure, is provided with laterally projecting studs 36 seated in bearings 34. A rack 37 is secured to the top wall of cross bar 35. A vertically disposed housing 38 is slidably mounted on crossbar 35 by means of strips 39 and 48 engaging flanges 4| and 42 which project vertically from the top and bottom of member 35. An arm 43 extending rearwardly from the top of housing 38 supports a reversible motor 44 which operates a pinion gear 45 in engagement with rack 37. Motor 44 is controlled by a trip switch 46 at each end of cross bar 35 which reverses the motor automatically so that housing 38, and its associated structure, is continuously reciprocated horizontally along cross bar 35. The housingmay be reciprocated by hydraulic means instead of by the motor 44, if desired.

Studs 35, seated in bearings 34, permit pivotal movement of cross bar 315," housing 38, and the combined'transfer and comminut'ing'unit, heretherewith. Counterweights 47, mounted on opposite endsof cross bar 35 in any suitable manner, facilitate the pivotal movement of the combined transfer and comit may be swung out of the sewage for inspection and service without emptying channel 2 or dismantling the entire unit.

Top wall 48 of housing-38 has bearings 49 and 58 mounted therein. A shaft has its upper end mounted in bearing 49, and a shaft 52, parallel to shaft 5|, has its upper ing 58. A reversible motor 53, mounted on top wall 48, rotates'shaft 5| through acoupling 55 in a direction such that the points in its periphery closest to shaft 52 move in the direction opposite to the direction of travelof the housing38 and its associated structure, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5. The motor 53 is preferably wired in the same circuit-as motor and is reversed by the trip switches 46. Shafts 5| and 52 pass through bearings 55 and 58 in the bottom wall 5'! of housing 38. Plate 58, bolted to bottom wall 51, holds bearing 55 in place. Another plate 59, also bolted to bot tom wall'57, as indicated at 50, Fig. 4.

A collar 6! is clamped to a pin 5| just below plate 59, so as to move with shaft 52. Shaft 52 is oscillated, in a manner hereinafter described, once upon each reversal of direction of lateral movement of housing 38, and its oscillation pair of stop members 52 and 53 carried by plate 59 (Fig. 7), against which studs 64 and 65 abut. Studs 64 and 65 are threaded into the flanged end 66 of collar 5|, and the extent ofv oscillation of shaft 52 can be regulated by adjustment of studs 64 and 55. a

The bottom of shaft 52 terminates in a threaded stud 61 having a square shank 68." A friction shoe 69 has a square aperture 18 for receiving shank 88. A nut threaded on stud 61 holds'shoe 69 in place on the shaft. Shoe 89 is shaped like a. sector of a circle with its ends rounded, and the arc portion engages a guide strip i2. Guide strip 12 is bolted to plate 2|, as indicated at 13, Fig. 3, and may beremoved and replaced when it becomes worn. I I

An arm 14 positioned just above shoe 59, has (Fig. 4) receiving the lower portion immediately above shank 68. The

end mounted in bearshaft 52 by means of in each direction is limited by a through an aperture 19 and watertight bearing 16", seatedin aperture 16,

receives the bottom of shaft 5|. 1

The top surface of arm 14 is substantially flush with the top of plate 2|. A plurality of annular disks 15 is mounted on shaft 5| between arm 14 and the top surface of the screen. Each disk 15 has a plurality of laterally extending teeth 16 spaced around its periphery, and spacers 'I! are interposed between adjacent disks. Spacers '|'|v are of such a thickness as to place each disk 15 in alignment with the center of one of the screen bars 22. When the transfer and comminuting element is in operating relationship with respect to the screen, teeth 76 project between side walls 25 and 26 of screen bars 22.

A nut 18 (Fig. 4) screwed on shaft 5| above arm 14 holds the lowermost disk 15 in place. Each disk has a plurality of apertures 19, as seen in Figs. 9 and 11, and each spacer I? has a corresponding recess 88. A pin 8| extending seated in recess 80 maintains disks 15 in the proper position. Preferably disks 15 are arranged so that teeth 18 are staggered. A collar 82 secured to shaft 5| by means of a pin 83' holds the uppermost disk 15in place.

Each spacer T! has a collar 83 secured around its periphery by screws 84 passing through apertures 85 and threaded into recesses 85 in the periphery of the spacer. The outer surface of each collar 88 is roughened in any suitable manner, as indicated at 87, for a purpose hereinafter described.

A pair of combs 88 and 89 is secured to a supporting frame 98 on opposite sides of shaft 52 by means of screws 89'. Frame 98 is rigidly fixed to shaft 52 and its sides are shaped to make combs 88 and 89 converge towards shaft 5|. Combs 88 and 89 are recessed on their forward edge, as indicated at 9|, and teeth 16 project into recesses 9| as shaft 5| rotates. The edges of combs 83 and 89 between the recesses 9| are serrated to form teeth 93.

Combs 88 and 89 and disks 15 are each preferably made of hardened steel so that any solids intercepted by the screen that are caught between teeth 18 and teeth 93 are comminuted. It will be noted that the area inv which the teeth .16 pass through recesses 9| adjacentv the teeth 93 is spaced away from the screen on the upstream side so that the screen is not subjected to the excessive wear incidental to the comminution of the solids. After the intercepted solids are comminuted they are carried through the screen and into the efiluent channel by the force of the regular flow of liquid sewage.

As previously mentioned, housing 33, and the combined transfer and comminuting unit associated therewith, move back and forth across the front of the stationary screen. The drag of friction shoe 69 along guide plate 12 holds the transfer and comminuting unit back slightly, so that shaft 52 rotates a few degrees at each change in the direction of travel of the transfer and comminuting unit and oscillatesthe leading comb into comminuting position. As shown in Fig. 5, this drag causes the teeth of comb 88 to cooperate with teeth 16 when the transfer and comminuting unit is traveling to the right, and the teeth of comb 89 to cooperate with teeth 16 when the unit is traveling to the left, the direction of rotation of the teeth 16 being reversed, as shown by the .arrowin Fig 5. When teeth :16 :and out substituted for the should be slow enough cutting cylinder to be thrown comb moves into commin :the teeth of onetcomb are 'cooperoting'wrtmteeth 16, the teeth of the other oombkane :spaced'drom eof cooperating relat'mship therewith.

It will be understood "that the shaft :fi'znmay be oscillated the fewdegreesnecessary. to alternately .bring the combs E88 and BBiinto com- .minuting relationship 'withithe cutting cylinder a substantial force ,iswexertedxagainstzany solids held against comb 88 'or 89 and engaged by teeth .16 rotating through recesses 1'94- Howevenmegardless of the speed of rotation of shaft .51, fibrous material, such as rags, zis inf-lien held against the screen in such position that his no;

dislodged by teeth 15.. The roughened surface of collars 83 rotating very close to the tensor side walls 25 and .26 of screen bars 23 collects fibrous material which is in the :sewage stream and which has been picked up ,by the teeth It and partly comminuted. This fibrous material becomes wound around the collars, and when it builds itself up to a thickness .sufiicient to engage the tops of side walls 25 and 26 of the screen bars it .acts as a brush, or of the screen .bars and. keep the spaces "between adjacent screen :bais :clean so that the. cornminuted material can flow freely "through the screen. In the process of 'tviping the surface of the screen bars, the .brush Iotlfibroiis material becomes partially Zcomminuted'and wears down. However, it continues to collect additional f1- brous material so that it is constantly renewed and continuously wipes the surface of the screen bars. Comminutio'n -of' t'he brush is .also efiected by the engagement thereof by teeth 93 which'are cut inthe faces of com'bs '88 and disposed opposite sides of notches "91 This comminuted fibrous material forms '.a 'floc .in the preliminary settling tank "that serves to settle much of the line colloidal and "suspended material which would otherwise pass through this tank unsettled. Heretofore, attempts to increase the emciency of the primary 's'ettlin'gtank by adding a fibrous pulp have ibeen-unsuccessiul because when the pulp is ground outside of the sewage it becomes matted and clotted, 'andwill not separate into minute fibers 'againwhen'added to the sewage. The present method of continuously forming the pulp in the how of sewage from the fibrous material normally present *in the sewage, eliminates this difficultyand-a'ccomplishes the desired result in an inexpensive manner.

When the combined transfer andcomininuting unit is swung out from the sewage, and inspeotion shows that some teeth 1 6 are worn' or broken, it is a simple matter ito disassemble 'the disks 15 and spacers '11, and replace the disks having detective teeth. The replacement-piondividual disks "is much :less expensive than when all the teeth are formed on =an integral nnit, as heretofore.

In the embodiment "of the-invention illustrated in Figs. 13 to E9, the ireieren'ce rrmmeralitfli onwiper, to wipe the surface adj acentthe cutting cylinder.

:diGate's the .infiuent channel, and H13 indicates the :eflluent channel. As .in the --embQd-iment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 12, channels Hand l-03 are par-ts iOf single :structureg preferably made of concrete, comprising a bottom wall Hi4 and sidewalls 11:55 and I06. A screen 1 01 comprising apl-urality of vertically extending Screenrbars EH18 ='extends transversely across channel W2. Although the screen is shown as sloping forwardly towards the bottom wall 104, it will be obvious :that it maybe arranged perpendicularly, if desired. The screen may be provided with a plurality of reinforcing members 1-09. These reinforcing members are provided'with proj-ections .l 0.9' which fi-t' in the spaces between the screen bars. The-projections 109' extend substantially to the top edgeof the side walls of the individual screen bars. The reinforcing members 1 .0.9 are disposed.-l-rorizontally transversely .to the -screen .bars-andpreferably are spaced at intervals of about 18 inches. They serve to prevent the screen bars from bowing away from the cutting cylinder as well as to keeptheiscreen barsaligned longitudinally so that the teeth of the cutting cylinder always engage the space inside the individual screen bars. It will be obvious that when the screen barsextend horizontal-1y, as in the embodiment illustrated .in-Figs. l to 12, the reinforcing .members, if used, .are disposed vertically. The projections I09 may be integral with the reinforcing members I09, or may be formed separately and welded thereto. If desired, the reinforcing members I109 ,may be termed of a strip ofsteel bent to form the projectionsfitting in the spaces between the screen bars.

The sides ofthe frame are reinforced by members Hi! and .11.! against whichthe combined transfer .a-ndcomminuting .unit 1-4.3 slides. The ends of screen bars L03 may be secured to the upper and lower reinforcing members H19 in any suitable manner. Preferably screen 1-01 is con- .st-ructed similarly to the screen shown in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 12, except that the screen barsare arranged vertically instead of horizontally.

I The combined transfer and .comminuting unit M3 is substantially similar to the combined transfer and comminuting amit shown in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 12, except that it is arranged horizontally relative to the screen instead of vertically. The unit comprises .a 'rotatable cutting .cylinder 1 l4 and. a-pair of combs .l.ll5.and H'o. Cutting .cyli'n'derlll t comprises a shaft H] to whichfa plurality of annular disks M1. ".is secured. Each of the disks has a plurality of teeth H1 projecting therefrom, and the .disks are arranged on the shaft in such a manner that the teethor each-disk are staggered relative to the teeth of the adjacent disks. Combs H5 and H6 have projections M5 and H6, respectively, projecting .from their .edges Notches Ll. i 5 and H 5" between the projections are so spaced that when either comb 'is "positioned in .comminuting position relative to thecutting cylinder theteeth it it] will: pass through .thenotches koi :thatromb as the cutting cylinder is rotated.

The shaft H1 is mounted inlsuitable bearings .H-fl-and .119, andisrotated by-a fluidmotor .120 operated by a hydraulic .systemhereinaiter .de-

scribed, and shown -diagrammaticallylin .Fig. 19. :Motor 1 Z-lldrives aigear +2 I which istmeshed with we :gear 2| 2'2-irigidly :mounted lOnnShB/ft 1 H. Bearring I: I8 @iscontained in [a housing H3 zatone end of the housings.

of shaft H7, and bearing H9 is contained in another housing I24 at the opposite end of shaft I I 7. The housings I23 and I24 are connected together by a rigid reinforcing member I25 which has its opposite ends each rigidly secured to one The motor I20 is reversible so as to change the direction of rotation of the cutting cylinder II 4 in accordance with the direction of travel of the combined transfer and comminuting unit I I3 along the face of screen I07.- As viewed in Fig. 14, when unit H3 is moving upwardly along the screen, the shaft I I7 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and comb I I is in. comminuting position. When unit H3 is moving downwardly, the shaft I I 7 is rotated in the opposite direction, and comb H6 is in comminuting position; The means for oscillating the combs to position them alternately into comminuting position will he hereinafter described in connection with the hydraulic system by which said means is operated.

The mechanism for raisingthe unit H3, and the associated housings I23 and I 24, along the screen I67 comprises'a pair of winches I26 operated by an electric motor I27. vMotor I27 and winches I26 are mounted on a platform I26 extending across the top of channel I03. Eaoh end of the unit H3 is provided with a bracket I29 rigidly secured to housings I23and I24. A strap I36 secured to the upper end of each bracket I29 embraces a guide bar I3I so as to slide therealong. The guide bars are supported in spaced relationship to the front of screen I67 by means of supporting strips I32. Theends of cables I33 extending from the winches I26 are secured to the straps I30. When the motor driving the winches is reversed, the weight of unit I I3 causes it to move downwardly along the screen. The speed at which the unit moves downwardly is controlled so that it is the same or approximately the same as its speed in the opposite direction. The cables are guided by pulleys I34 supported on a frame I35 mounted on side walls I05 and I06. A pair of trip switches I36 and I37'is mounted on one side of frame I35 and the cable I33 which lies adjacent that portion of the frame is provided with clips or projections I36 and I39. The clips are securely fastened to the cable so that when the cable moves far enough to cause either clip to engage one of the trip switches it will trip the switch. When the unit H3 is moving downwardly and reaches the lower limit of its travel, clip I 36 engages switch I36 verse motor I27. When unit upper limit of its travel clip I39 to again reverse motor I27. Comb I I5 is secured to H3 reaches the trips switch I37 a plate I40 by means of a plurality of screws MI, and comb IE6 is similarly secured to a plate I42. Plates I40 and I 42 are eachrigidly secured to a shaft I43 in such position that only one comb is in comminuting position at one time. The shaft I43 is mounted in bearings I44 and I45 carried respectively by housings I23 and I24 which also carry bearings I I8 and I I9. The housings I23 and I24 bear against members H0 and III as the transfer and comminuting unit I I3 is reciprocated in front of screen I07. The housings I23 and I24 are positioned at the sides of screen I67 and the space therebetween, in back of reinforcing mem ber I35, is open to permit teeth II?" to engage screen bars I06 to remove solids held against the screen by the flow of sewage. Teeth II'I" carry these solids around to the area spaced in front of the screen into engagement with one of the and trips it to re-' energize motor I27. Motors combs I I5 or 'lated each time the direction of longitudinal travel of unit II3 along screen I07 is reversed, so as to move combs II 5 and H6 alternately into comminuting position in accordance with the direction of rotation of cutting cylinder I I 4.

Shaft I43 may be oscillated by any suitable means, for example, frictionally, as noted in connectionwith the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 12, but the preferred means comprises the hydraulic system shown diagrammatically in Fig. 19. Referring to Figs. 13 and 19, the hydraulic system comprises an electric motor I44 which operates a pump I45. The wires I46 which energize motor I44 are wired to a control box I47 which also controls wires I48 which I27 and I44 are synchronized, so that when the combined transfer and comminuting unit H3 is moving upwardly along screen I 07, shaft H7 is being rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 14. When the clip I39 trips switch I37 both motors I27 and I44 are reversed so that unit H3 moves downwardly and the pump I45 is reversed.

One side of pump I 45 is connected to an oil reservoir I49 by a line I50 provided with'a check valve I5I and leading to line I52. The end of line I50 leading from the reservoir is provided with an oil filter I50. Oil sucked up through lines I 50 and I52 is pumped through line I53, through check valve I54, and into a pipe I55 leading to the center of a conventional automatic slack-takeup reel I56. A flexible hose I57 wound on reel I56 carries the oil from pipe I55 to lines I58 and I59. The flexibility of hose I57 permits the unit II3 to reciprocate along the'face of screen I67 without interrupting the flow of oil through the hydraulic system. Line I56 leads to a cylinder I60 (Fig. 15) which contains a piston I6I When sufiicient oil has flowed into cylinder I60 to move the piston to the limit of its travel, the oil pressure maintains the piston in position, and the rest of the oil flowing from pipe I55 flows through line I59 to operate motor I 20 continuously until the motor I44 is reversed. The fact that oil pressure holds the piston I6I in position enables either comb H5 or II6 to back away slightly from cutting cylinder II4 if too much solid matter accumulates against the comb, thereby protecting the teeth I I7 from breakin and also preventing injury to the comb.

Oil passing through fluid motor I20, which rotates shaft I I 7, passes through line I62 into flexible hose I57 wound on reel I56, which is a duplicate of reel I56, and through pipe I63 leading from the center of reel I56 to line I64. The oil flows from line I64 to line I 65* and through a three way valve I 66. The oil must normally flow through valve I66 because the check valve I67 is set for high pressure so that it acts only as a relief valve. The valve I66 comprises a cylinder I68 and a piston I69. The piston is reciprocated in the cylinder by solenoids I controlled by control box I 47 and synchronized with motors I27 and I44 so that the piston is in the position shown in Fig. 19 when pump I45 is operating in the direction hereinabove described. The wires I7I which energize the solenoids I70 are connected to wires l46 which energize motor I44. Theposition of piston I69 shown in Fig. 19 allows the oil As can be seen'by an inspection of 19, the hydraulic system contains duplicate lines on the opposite side of pump so that theoperation previously described is reversed whenmotor I44 is reversed. The effectofsuch reversal isto move piston l6! (Fig. totheopposite end of cylinder 68 and to reverse the directionof rotation of shaft H1 by reversing motor 120. The hydraulic system also includes a pump drain H3 leading from the pump 145 to thereservoir- [49.

Referring to Figs. 15 and. 16, the cylinder Hill is mounted in housing I23. The piston rod H4 projecting from piston l5! extends through. one end of cylinder H and is connected to a bifurcated arm H5 rigidly secured at its other'end to shaft I43. Reciprocation ofpiston rod. l'l' i moves arm H5, thereby oscillatingshaft I43. As described in connection with the operation: of the hydraulic system, piston 16. is movedto the opposite end of cylinder i160 when motor M4 is reversed, and is held there-by oil, pressure until motor Ms is again reversed. :Eachreversal moves one of the combs H5 or Hfiinto comminuting position, and thenother. comb-out of comminuting position, and keeps themthere. until the: ro tation of the cutting cylinder is reversed.

It is evident from the; foregoing description, as illustrated by the-preferred embodiments of the invention shown inthe drawings, that in accordance with the invention screened solids are removed from thescreenby' the cutting cylinder of the combined transfer and comminuting unit. The roughened surfaces. of the cutting cylinder positioned betweenthe disks carrying the cutting teeth forms a core about which fibrous material wraps itself and this wrapped core serves as a brush or wiper to remove. the. fibrous. material that adheres to the top-of theside walls of screen bars 22- and H58 and isi-not dislodged by the teeth 16 or H1". This fibrous material becomes abraded and worn but. builds itself up continuously so that it forms. a. constantly renewed brush or wiper to keep the-space; between therindividual screen bars clean. The. solid matter picked up by the teeth of the cutting cylinder are transferred from the screen. by the. cutting cylinder to the. area where thecombs are positioned, and are. then comminuted by the; interaction of the combs with the teeth. comm'nuting action takes. place in thersewagestrearn, upstream of .andaway from the face of the screen. strain on the screen is. reduced to a minimum.

While I have described twoipreferred embodiments of the invention inconsiderable detail, it will. be understood that the description: is intended to be illustrative, iratherithan restrictive, as. many details may be. modified or changed without departing from .the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, I do: not: desire to=be restricted to the exact structures described.

I claim:

1. In combination with a channel through which sewage containingsolidsis flowed, a screen extending across said channel, and acombined transferand comminuting unit comprising a cut-- ti cylinder mountediin cooperative: relationship with said screen and. directly inv front of: said screen and a cooperating cutting comb spaced from said screen a distance greater than they radius of said cutting cylinder, said unit being movable transversely in front of; said screen to remove. solids. therefrom.

.2. In. combination. with a. channel. through w ich sewage containingsolid's iszfiowed. extending across said channel. screen com,-

Inthis way' the.-

prising a pluralityof screenbarsarranged parallel' to each other, and" a transfer and-comminuting unit comprisinga cutting cylinder mounted in cooperative relationship with said screen and directly in front of said screen and a cooperating cutting comb spaced from said screen a distance greater than the radius of said cutting cylinder, said unit being movableacross the front of said screen ina direction'parallel to said screen bars to remove solids therefrom.

3. In combination with a channel through which sewage containing-solids is flowed, a screen extending across said channel, said screen comprising a plurality ofscreen bars arranged in parallel relationship; and disposed vertically relative to said channel, a transfer. and comminuting unit comprising a cutting cylinder mounted in cooperative relationship with said screen and directly in front of said screen and a cooperating cutting comb. spacedfrom said: screen, andmeans for raising said unit along. said screen to cause said unit to. sweep theface'of. said screen to remove solids therefrom.

4. In combination: with a channel through which sewagecontaining-solids iszfiowed, a frame extending across said channel, a=.screen.mounted insaid frame; a transfer and .comminuting unit mounted in a housing. slidably mounted on. said frame, said unit beingpositioneda short distance in front of said screen, a motor operable to move said unit across said. frame, and a trip switch at each end of said frame,- each of said switches being operable automatically upon contact with said housing to reverse the direction of said motor and therebyreciprocate said unit across the face of said screen.

5. In combinations; screen for straining sewage, a frame supporting said screen, a transfer and comminuting, unit. slidablymounted on said frame, said unit comprising a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of teeth projecting, from its periphery into engagement; with said screen, an oscillatable shaft, and a pair-of combs mounted on said-shaft, a motor for reciprocatingsaid unit across the faceof saidscreen, and means for oscillating said shaft, one-of said combs cooperating with said teeth-asisaid unit is moved in one direction, and said other comb cooperating with said teeth as said unit is. moved in'the opposite direction.

6. In combination with a. screen comprising a plurality of parallel screen bars for straining sewage, a transfer and comminuting unit comprising a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks mounted on said shaft, eachof said disk having a plurality of teeth projectingzfromits periphery, a plurality of spacers interposed between said disks, said rotatable: shaft. being positioned adjacent said screen whereby said teeth remove solids from the front-of said screen, a comb positioned in the path. of rotation of said teeth, said comb cooperating with said teeth to comminute solids removed thereby from said screen, and a roughened surface on. each of saidspacers, said roughened surfacespassing close enough to the surface of the; screen bars during. therotation of saidshaftto remove fibrous material intercepted by said screen from the. surface of said screen bars, each of said roughened surfaces wrapping said fibrous material around said surfaces until it builds itself into a constantly renewed brush to wipe thesurfaceof thascreenlbarsthereby keeping. the spaces-between. adiacentscreen. bars. free for the passage of. comminuted. solids there. through.

7. In combination with a screen for straining sewage, a transfer and comminuting unit slidably mounted to move back and forth acros the face of said screen, said unit comprising a rotatable shaft, a plurality of spacers mounted on said shaft, a roughened surface on each of said spacers, said rotatable shaft being positioned adjacent said screen, said roughened surfaces passing close enough to the surface of the screen during the rotation of the shaft to remove fibrous material, intercepted by the screen from the sewage, from the screen, each of said roughened surfaces wrapping said fibrous material about itself to form a brush which wipes the surface of said screen, said brush constantly renewing itself by collecting additional fibrous material from the sewage.

8. In combination with a screen for straining sewage, a frame supporting said screen, a transfer and comminuting unit slidably mounted on said frame, means for moving said unit back and forth across the face of said screen, said unit comprising a rotatable cylinder having teeth projecting from its periphery, a shaft oscillating once at each reversal of direction of sliding move-- ment of said unit, and a pair of combs mounted on said shaft and alternately movable into operative position as said shaft oscillates, said teeth passing between recesses in the comb in operative position as said cylinder rotates.

9. In combination with a screen for straining sewage, a'frame supporting said screen, a transfer and comminuting'unit comprising a rotatable cylinder formed of a plurality of toothed disks separated by spacers, said toothed disks engaging said screen to remove solids therefrom during rotation of said cylinder, and a comb cooperating with said toothed disks for comminuting solids removed from said screen in an area spaced from the screen, said unit being pivoted to said frame to swing out of said sewage for inspection and repairs.

10. In combination, a frame having side walls each comprising a pair of upstanding members spaced from each other, a screen for straining sewage, said screen comprising a plurality of U- shaped screen bars having their open sides faced in the same direction, each screen bar having its ends secured in the spaces between said upstanding members, and a transfer and comminuting unit comprising a rotating cylinder having a plurality of teeth projecting laterally from its periphery, and a comb cooperating with said teeth to comminute solids engaged therebetween, said unit being pivoted on said frame to bring said cylinder into proximity with said screen, said teeth being vertically aligned with said screen bars whereby they pass through the open sides of said screen bars as said cylinder rotates.

11. In combination, a frame having side walls each comprising a pair of upstanding members spaced from each other, a screen for straining sewage, said screen comprising a plurality of U- shaped screen bars having their open sides faced in the same direction, each screen bar having its ends secured in the spaces between said upstanding members, a transfer andcomminuting unit comprising a rotating cylinder having a'plurality of teeth projecting laterally from its periphery, to comminute solids engaged therebetween, said unit being slidably mounted on said frame and pivoted to permit it to swing from a position in proximity to said screen, in which said teeth rotate through the open sides of said screen bars, to a position out of said sewage to facilitateinand a comb cooperating with said teeth spection and repair of said unit, and means to reciprocate said unit across the face of said screen.

12. In combination, a frame having side walls each comprising a pair of upstanding members spaced from each other, a screen for straining sewage, said screen comprising a plurality of channel bars having their open sides faced toward the stream of inflowing sewage, each screen bar having its ends secured in the spaces between said upstanding members, a transfer and comminuting unit comprising a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of teeth projecting laterally from its periphery and a pair of combs spaced from said cylinder and movable alternately into operative position wherein recesses in one of said combs are in the path of travel of said teeth as said cylinder rotates, said unit being pivoted on said frame to position said cylinder in proximity to said screen so that said teeth pass between said open sides of said channel members as said cylinder rotates, said teeth removing solids from the face of said screen and comminuting them between the recesses of said combs.

13. In combination, a screen, a frame supporting said screen, a transfer and comminuting unit slidably mounted on said frame, and means reciprocating said unit across the face of said screen, said unit comprising a rotatable shaft positioned in proximity to said screen, a second shaft parallel to and spaced from said rotatable shaft, a pair of combs mounted on said second shaft, and a friction shoe rigidly secured to said second shaft, said shoe rubbing across the bottom of said frame with sufficient friction to oscillate said second shaft at each reversal of direction of sliding movement of saidunit, each of said oscillations being effective to move one of said combs into and the other of said combs out of operative position.

14. In combination, a screen, a frame supporting said screen, a comminuting element lidably mounted on said frame, means to reciprocate said comminuting element across the face of said screen in operative engagement therewith, said comminuting element comprising a rotatable shaft positioned in proximity to said screen, and a comb cooperating with said comminuting element for comminuting solids, and means providing a pivotal mounting for said comminuting element whereby the said element may be swung upwardly for inspection and repairs.

15. In combination, a screen for screening sewage, a frame supporting said screen, atransfer and comminuting unit slidably mounted on said frame, means to reciprocate said unit across the face of the screen in operative engagement therewith, said unit comprising a vertically disposed rotatable cutting element positioned in proximity to said screen and a comb cooperating with said cutting element for comminuting solids in said sewage, and means on said frame providing pivotal mounting for may be swung upwardly out of the sewage for inspection and repairs.

16. In combination, a screen for screening sewage, a frame supporting said screen, a transfer and comminuting unit movably mounted adjacent said screen, means to reciprocate said unit along the face of said screen in operative engagement therewith, said unit comprising a horizontally disposed rotatable cutting element posi-- tioned in proximity to said-screen, and a pair of combs cooperating with said cutting element for said unit whereby said unit amassecomminuting solids in; said, sewage; said pair of combs oscillating at every reversal of direction of travel of said unit to position said combs al ternately'into comminuting position.

1'7. In. combination, ascreen for screening sewage and a comminuting device mounted in front of said screen and cooperating therewith to remove solids therefrom, said comminuting device comprising a cutting cylinder and a comb which cooperateto comminute solids removed from the screen. independently ofisaid screen.

1'8. In combination, a screen for screening sewage and a transfer and comminuting unit mounted to. reciprocate in front of said screen, the transfer element of. said unit comprising a cutting cylinder rotatably mounted adjacent said screen and cooperating therewith to remove solids therefrom, the comminuting element of said unit comprising said cutting cylinder and a comb cooperating therewith, said comb being positioned in, front of the. screen a distance greater than the: radius of said cutting cylinder so as to com minutesolids removed from the screen independently thereof.

19. In combination, a screen for screening sewage, a transfer and comminuting unit mounted in front of said screen, means for moving said unit and screen relative, to each other, said unit comprising a rotatable cylinder and a comb, said cylinder cooperating with said screen to remove solids therefrom while said relative movement is taking place, said rotating cylinder transferringsaid solids from said screen to an area spaced upstream from said screen, said comb cooperating with said cylinder in said area spaced upstream of said screen to comminute solids removed from the screen in said upstream area out of contact with, said screen.

20'. In combination, a screen for screening sewage, said screen having a plurality of parallel grooves on one face thereof, a transfer and com minuting' unit including a rotatably mounted cylinder having, a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom, means for reciprocating said unit across one face of said screen in a direction parallel to said grooves, said teeth passing into said grooves to remove solids therefrom as said unit reciprocates across said screen, and a comb positioned adjacent said rotating cylinder at a point spaced from said screen, said comb having a plurality'of notches through which said teeth pass as said cylinder rotates, said; teeth cooperating with said comb to comminute solids removed from said screen by said teeth and transferred thereby to said comb.

21-. In combination, a screen for screening sewage, said screen having a plurality of parallel grooves on one face thereof, a transfer and comminuting unit including a rotatably mounted cylinder comprising a plurality of spaced disks each having a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom, the periphery of said cylinder between said disks having a roughened surface, means for reciprocating said unit across said one face of said screen. in a direction parallel to said grooves,

said teeth passing into said grooves to remove solids therefrom as; said unit reciprocates across said screen, said roughened surfaces collecting fibrous material from the sewage and wrapping it around itself to such thickness that it acts as abrush to wipe clean the surface of the screen with which it comes in contact, and a comb positioned adjacent said rotati'ng cylinder at a point spaced, from said screen,- said comb having a pliurality of notches through which said teeth 16 pass as said cylinder rotates, said teeth cooperating with said comb to comminute solids removed from said screen by said teeth and transferred thereby to said comb, the surface of said comb between said notches being serrated, said serrations serving to shred the excess of said fibrous material wrapped around said abrasive surfaces.

22. In an apparatus for treating sewage which comprises a screen placed across a channel or conduit through which sewage flows, for intercepting-solid matter, a transfer and comminuting unit disposed adjacent the upstream surface of the screen, said unit comprising a rotatable cylinder mounted in cooperative relationship with the upstream surface of said screen, said cylinder being capable of removing solid matter from said screen while being rotated, and a comb cooperating with said cylinder in an area spaced upstream from the screen to comminute said solid matter, and means for effecting relative translatory movement between said screen and said unit so that substantially the whole upstream surface of'the screen is periodically swept by said unit to remove solids from said screen to the area of said comb.

23. In an apparatus for treating sewage which comprises a vertically disposed screen placed across a channel or conduit through which sewage flows, for intercepting solid matter, a transfer and comminuting unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder disposed adjacent the upstream surface of the screen and in engaging relationship therewith, said cylinder removing solid matter from said screen, and a comb cooperating with said cylinder in an area spaced upstream from the screen to comminute said solid matter, and means for effecting relative transl'atory movement between said screen and said unit so that substantially the Whole upstream surface of the screen is periodically swept by said unit.

24. In an apparatus for treating sewage which comprises a screen placed across a channel or conduit through which sewage flows, for intercepting lumps of solid matter, a transfer and comminuting unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder disposed. in engaging relationship with the upstream surface of the screen and a comb positioned adjacent the periphery of said cylinder remote from said screen, said cylinder removing solid matter from said screen and cooperating with said comb to comminute it in an area spaced upstream from the screen, and means for causing the said unit to reciprocate along said screen so that substantially the whole upstream surface of the screen is periodically swept by said unit.

25. In an apparatus for treating sewage which comprises a screen placed across a channel or conduit through which sewage flows, for intercepting lumps of solid matter, a transfer and comminuting unit disposed adjacent the upstream surface of the screen, said unit removing solid matter from said screen and comminuting it in an area spaced upstream from the screen, and means for causing the said unit to reciprocate along said screen so that substantially the whole upstream surface of the screen is periodically swept by said unit, said unit comprising a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of teeth projecting from its periphery into engagement with said screen and a pair of cutting combs, said teeth being adapted to continuously sweep from the face of the screen'intercept'ed solids and transfer; thecutting combs, one of them tothe region of said cutting combs being adapted to cooperate with said teeth to comminute said intercepted solids'as-said unitis'moved in one direction, and

said other comb being adapted to cooperate with said teeth to comminute said intercepted solids as the said unit is moved in the other direction, and means to move said combs into cooperating relation with said teeth.

26. A sewage comminuting apparatus interposed in a sewage stream in front of a screen placed across a sewage channel or conduit, for intercepting solid matter carried by the sewage stream, said apparatus comprising a transfer and communiting unit disposed adjacent the upstream surface of the screen, said unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder engaging said screen, said cylinder being capable of removing solid matter from said screen, and a comb positioned in an area upstream from the screen, said cylinder and comb cooperating to comminute said solid matter in said upstream area, and means for effecting relative translatory movement between said screen and said unit so that substantially the whole upstream surface of the screen may be periodically swept by said unit.

27. A sewage comminuting apparatus interposed in a sewage stream in front of a screen placed across a sewage channel or conduit, for intercepting solid matter carried :by the sewage stream, said apparatus comprising a transfer and comminuting unit disposed adjacent the upstream surface of the screen, said unit being adapted to remove solid matter from said screen and comminute it in an area upstream from the screen, and means for effecting relative translatory movement between said screen and said unit so that substantially the whole upstream surface of the screen may be periodically swept by said uni the face of the screen intercepted solids and transfer them to the region of the cutting combs, one of said cutting combsbeing adapted to cooperate with said teeth to comminute said transferred solids as said unit is moved in one direction, and said other comb being adapted to cooperate with said teeth to comminute said transferred solids as said unit is moved in the other direction, and means to move said combs into cooperating relation with said teeth.

28. A sewage comminuting apparatus interposed in a sewage stream in front of a screen placed across a sewage channel or conduit, for intercepting solid matter carried by the sewage stream, said apparatus comprising a transfer and comminuting unit disposed adjacent the upstream surface of the screen, said unit being adapted to remove solid matter from said screen and comminute it in an area upstream from the screen, and means for elfecting reclprocatory movement of the said unit along said screen so that substantially the whole upstream surface of the screen may be periodically swept by said unit, said unit comprising a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of teeth projecting from its periphery and a pair of cutting combs, said teeth being adapted to continuously sweep from the face of the screen intercepted solids and transfer them to the region of the cutting combs, one of cutting combs being adapted to cooperate said teeth to comminute said transferred solids as said unit is moved in one direction, and said other comb being adapted to cooperate with said teeth to comminute said transferred solids "18 as said unit is moved in the other direction, and means to move said combs into cooperating relation with said teeth.

29. In combination with a channel through which sewage containing solids is flowed, an upstanding screen extending across said channel, a transfer and comminuting unit positioned in front of said screen, said unit comprising a rotatable cutting cylinder and a pair of combs, motor controlled means for raising said unit along said screen, and a hydraulic system controlled by a separate motor, said system being operable to rotate said cutting cylinder and oscillate said combs to move them alternately into comminutting relationship with said cutting cylinder, both of said motors being reversible to simultaneously change the direction of travel of said unit, the rotation of said cutting cylinder, and to oscillate said combs.

30. In combination with a channel through which sewage containing solids is flowed, an upstanding screen extending across said channel,

a transfer and comminuting unit positioned in front of said screen, said unit comprising a horizontally disposed toothed cylinder rotatable in contact with said screen to remove therefrom solids intercepted by said screen, a pair of combs alternately engageable with said cylinder in an area spaced forwardly of said screen to comminute said solids away from said screen, and means for raising said unit along the face of said screen whereby said toothed cylinder sweeps substantially the entire face of said screen.

31'. In combination with a channel through which sewage containing solids is flowed, an upstanding screen extending across said channel, said screencomprising a plurality of horizontally spaced screen bars, a transfer and comminuting unit positioned in front of said screen, said unit comprising a horizontally disposed cutting cylinder having a plurality of disks spaced horizontally to conform to the spacing between said screen bars and each having a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom, a reversible motor operable to rotate said cylinder, whereby said teeth engage said screen to remove therefrom solids intercepted by said screen, a pair of combs spaced adjacent said cutting cylinder but away from said screen, and means to oscillate said combs to posi- 1 tion them alternately into comminuting position relative to said cutting cylinder, said last mentioned means being synchronized with said reversible motor to oscillate said combs once at every reversal of said motor.

32. The method of comminuting sewage solids carried by a sewage stream which comprises intercepting solids carried by the stream on a screen, removing the solids from the screen, comminuting the removed solids in the stream and upstream and off of the face of the screen, and flowing the comminuted solids through the screen along with the oncoming sewage stream.

33. The method of comminuting solids carried by a sewage stream which comprises intercepting such solids on a screen, removing the solids from the screen and transferring them to a comminuting zone located upstream of and spaced from the face of the screen, comminuting the removed solids in said comminuting zone while they are in the stream and are spaced out of physical contact with the screen, and flowing the comminuted solids through thescreen along with the oncoming sewage.

34. The method of comminuting sewage solids T19 .=.:carried.iby :a sewage zss'tream-zwhich comprises ;in- --,terccptingisolids :oarriedcby :the :stream .on a screen, removing the solids fromtheiscreeniand itransferring' themto anxcomminuting :zone locat- --,.ed upstream andxifi Of'thBEfa-CE of the screen,

,zacomminuting the :removed csolids in; .the stream ziandiupstream and oil? of dahe face ofthe screen, and zflowingthe .comminuted :solids. through ":the ascreennalong with theaoncoming "sewagestream.

I combinationi'with at screen-for straining ssewage, .a ritransfer zand -.comminuting .unit com- .;prising za rotatably v:mounted shaft, a plurality of lzdiSkS mounted on said shaft, each of said disks whaving a plurality tofriteethprojecting from its -gperiphery, :a plurality of .tubulanrspacers :inter- "ape-sad :betweenzsaid disks,tanxabrasivesurface on :fthe peripheralrsurface :of teacher" said spacers,

isaid arotatably rmounted shaft being positioned adjacent said screen whereby said teethzand abra- *ssive surfaces sremove, solidsirom'thefront of said screen asxsaid shaft :is rotated, :and acomb .positionedu-in the path of rotation I of said teeth, said comb cooperating with said "teethrandisaidabra- .sive surfaces ltoicomminute .saidscreen.

--.36.;In;:combination withe screen for straining sewage, a transfer. and scomminuting .unit :slidably; mounted to move backv andxforth across the ,face. ot-saidscreemsaid unit-rcomprising 'a rotatiably mounted shaft a plurality ofadisks mounted iondsaid shaft; each of :said "disks having "a, iplu- ,rality- :of-I-teeth projecting from its-periphery, a plurality oil-tubular "spacers-interposed between .said ad -SR8, ,an abrasive ;-surface :on 'the peripheral surface of-reach of 'iSald spacers, said rotatably mounted shaft-being positioned adjacent said ,screen whereby saidteeth and :abrasive surfaces remove-solids .from-the .front of said screen as :said shaft is rotated, a shaft parallel to :said

rotatably amounted, shaft, meansto oscillate said ,second shaft once ateach-reversal of directionof the sliding movement of-said unit,:and apair of .combs mountedlon said .second shaft, .each oscil- Jationofsaidshaftmoving oneo-f said combs into ,position toicooperate with said teethand abrasive surfaces tooomminute solids removed from said screen. and, simultaneously vmoving said other comb from cooperating position.

,L3TZ...,In combination, ,a screenfor screening sewage, saidscreen'having ,a, plurality of parallel grooves on. one. i ace. thereof, a .comminuting deviceincluding ,a. rotatably mounted cylinder comprising a plurality ofspaced disks .eachlhaving a, plurality of teeth projecting. therefrom,..the

periphery of said ,cylinderbetween said disk having ,an abrasivesur'face, means .for reciprocating said cylinder across said onejface of said screen intangential relation therewith, said teeth passing "into said grooves to remove solids therefrom as said com'minuting device reciprocates across s'aid'screen, said. abrasive surfaces passing ,close 'enoughto the portion of 'said' screen adjacent said grooves to remove therefrom fibrous material not "removedby' said teeth-and a comb positioned *adjacentsaidrotatablymounted cylinder at a point spaced "from said screen, said comb "having a plurality of notches through which said teeth "pass as said cylinder rotateesaid teeth cooperatingwith saidcomb to comminute solids removed from said screen'by said teeth and transferred thereby to said comb, thesurface of said -comb *between said "notches being serrated, and the abrasive-surfaces of-saidrotatably mounted cylinder cooperating with said serrationsto shred said-fibrous material.

solids removed from teeth projecting mounted in parallel relationship to said cylinder and spaced upstream adapted to remove :solid matter fromsaid screen and -comminute itf in an 'area spaced upstream from the-screen, and means for reciprocating-the said unit alongsaid-screen-so that substantially the-whole upstreamsurface of the screen is'periodically swept lay-said unit, said unit comprising a rotatable cylinder having its axis-disposed in a plane parallel to: the planeof saidscreen, said cylinder being-mounted for translation of its axis with its .periphery tangentially related to the screen, said cylinderhaving aplurality 101 from its periphery, -a shaft therefrom, and a :pair of cutting combs rigidlysecured to said shaft-each of said z-combs .having a cuttingnedge spaced slightly fromythe-portion of the periphery of said cylinder most remote from said screernsaid teeth being adapted to continuously sweep from the face of the screeniinterceptedsolidsland transfer them to the region .of the cutting cornbs, cone of said cutting combs being adapted to cooperate with said teethassaid comminutingunitismoved in one direction,..and said \other. comb being adapted to cooperate .with said teeth as the said ,comminuting .unit is moved in the other direction, and means to oscillate thelshaft to therebyselectively move. each of saidcornbs alternately. into cooperating relation withlsaidnte'eth in accordance with the direction of the. reciprocator-y movement of saidunit.

- 39.v In combination withascreen for. straining sewage, a frame supportingtsaid screen, a com- .minuting unit slidableomounted adjacent said screen, means for moving said .comminu'ting .unit back and forth across the face of said screen, said .comminuting unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder substantially parallel to vthe face of the screen having teeth projecting from its periphery, said unit also comprising a shaft mounted for oscillation once at each reversal of direction of sliding movement of saidcomminuting unit, and a'pair of cutting combs alternately movable into operative position by said shaft as. said shaft oscillates,-sald teeth1passing'between recesses in the comb in operative position as said cylinder rotates to comminute sewage solids removed from said screen by said teeth and transferred thereby to said comb.

40. In combination with a screen for straining sewage, a frame supporting said screen, a comminuting unitslidably'mounted adjacent said screemmeans for moving said comminuting unit back and forth across the face of said screen. said "comminuting 'unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder substantiallyparallel to. the faceo'f the-screen having teeth projecting from its-periphery, said-unit also comprising a shaft mountedfor oscillation once at each reversal of direction of sliding movement of said comminuting-unit; and a pair of cutting combs secured to said shaft and alternately movable into-operative position by said shaft as said shaft oscillates, said teeth passing between recesses -in the --cornb inoperative position as said cylinder rotates :to comminute sewage: solids removed from said *screen byisaid teeth and transferred there- 'to said comb.

4-1. Incombi-natiomwith a--'s'creen for straining sewage, a frame supporting said screen, a comminuting unit slidably mounted adjacent said screen, means for moving said comminutin unit back and forth across the face of said screen, said comminuting unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder positioned substantially parallel to the face of the screen and in proximity thereto, said cylinder having teeth projecting from its periphery, said unit also comprising a shaft mounted for oscillation once at each reversal of direction of sliding movement of said comminuting unit, said shaft being parallel to said cylinder and a pair of cutting combs rigidly secured to said shaft and alternately movable into operative position by said shaft as said shaft oscillates, said teeth passing between recesses in the comb in operative position as said cylinder rotates to comminute sewage solids removed from said screen by said teeth and transferred thereby to said comb.

42. In combination with a screen for straining sewage, a frame supporting said screen, a comminuting unit slidably mounted adjacent said screen, means for moving said comminuting unit back and forth across the face of said screen, said comminutin unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder substantially parallel to the face of the screen having teeth projecting from its periphery, said unit also comprisin a shaft mounted for oscillation once at each reversal of direction of sliding movement of said comminuting unit, and a pair of cutting combs alternately movable into operative position by said shaft as said shaft oscillates, said teeth cooperating with the comb in operative position to comminute sewage solids.

43. In combination with a screen for straining sewage, a frame supporting said screen, a comminuting unit slidably mounted adjacent said screen, means for moving said comminuting um't back and forth across the face of said screen, said comminuting unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder substantially parallel to the face of the screen having teeth projecting from its periphery, said unit also comprising a shaft mounted for oscillation once at each reversal of direction of slidin movement of said comminuting unit, and a cutting comb movable into operative position by said shaft as said shaft oscillates, said teeth passing between recesses in said comb when the comb is in operative position to co minute sewage solids as said cylinder rotates.

44.. In combination, a screen for screening sewage, a frame supporting said screen, and a, transfer and comminuting unit mounted on said frame to reciprocate in front of said screen, said unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder having its axis disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of said screen, said cylinder being mounted for translation of its axis with its periphery tangentially related to the screen, a plurality of teeth projecting laterally from the periphery of said cylinder, said teeth cooperating with said screen to remove sewage solids therefrom as said cylinder is rotated, and a comb spaced from said screen a distance greater than the radius of said cylinder, said comb cooperating with said teeth to comminute sewage solids removed from said screen by said teeth.

45. In combination, a screen for screening sewage, a frame supporting said screen, said screen having a plurality of parallel grooves on one face thereof, and a transfer and comminuting unit mounted on said frame to reciprocate in front of said screen, said unit comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder having its axis disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of said screen and being mounted for translation of its axis with its periphery tangentially related to the screen, said cylinder having a plurality of teeth projecting laterally therefrom into said grooves, said teeth cooperating with said screen to remove sewage solids therefrom as said cylinder is rotated, and a comb spaced from said screen a distance greater than the radius of said cylinder, said comb cooperating with said teeth to comminute sewage solids removed from said screen by said teeth.

46. In an apparatus for treating sewage which comprises a screen adapted to be placed across a channel or conduit through which sewage flows, for intercepting lumps of solid matter, a transfer and comminuting unit disposed adjacent the upstream surface of the screen, said unit comprising a cutting comb positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said screen and a rotatably mounted cutting cylinder positioned adjacent said screen and substantially parallel to the plane thereof, said cutting cylinder being positioned intermediate said screen and said cutting comb with its periphery tangentially related to said screen, said unit removing solid matter from said screen and comminuting it in a zone spaced upstream from the screen, and means for reciproeating said unit along said screen so that substantially the whole upstream surface of the screen is periodically swept by said unit.

47. In an apparatus for treating sewage which comprises a screen adapted to be placed across a channel or conduit through which sewage flows, for intercepting lumps of solid matter, a transfer and comminuting unit disposed adjacent the upstream surface of the screen, said unit comprising a shaft positioned substantially parallel to the plane of said screen, a cutting comb mounted on said shaft, and a cutting cylinder rotatably mounted in a position adjacent said screen and substantially parallel to the plane and means for reciprocating said unit along said screen with the periphery of said cutting cylinder maintained in tangential relationship to said screen so that substantially the whole upstream surface of the screen is periodically swept by said um't.

48. In an apparatus for treating sewage which comprises a screen adapted to be placed across screen, said unit comprising a shaft positioned substantially parallel to the plane of said screen, a cutting comb secured to said shaft, and a cutting cylinder rotatably mounted in a position adjacent said screen and substantially parallel to th plane thereof, said cutting cylinder being positioned intermediate said screen and said shaft with its periphery in tangential relationship to said screen, said cutting cylinder during rotation removing solid matter from said screen and comminuting it in cooperation with said cutting comb in a zone spaced upstream from the screen, and means for reciprocating said unit along said screen so that substantially the whole upstream surface of the screen is periodically swept by said unit.

49. In an apparatus for treating sewage which 

